IPFW vs. SAU

Comparable Facts

Compare Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN with Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than SAU based on total student enrollment (7,206 students vs. 2,441 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Purdue University Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting); Spring Arbor University is in Spring Arbor, MI (Small Suburban setting).
• Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Spring Arbor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1; Spring Arbor University 12:1.

IPFW vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IPFW or SAU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Purdue University Fort Wayne than SAU ($14,735 vs. $21,067).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 2% lower than at Purdue University Fort Wayne ($11,440 vs. $11,669).
• Spring Arbor University is 256.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $24,482 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.6% higher at SAU than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $11,127 more per year; $34,014.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spring Arbor University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 234.6% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($23,877 vs. $7,135).

IPFW vs. SAU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IPFW or SAU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SAU and IPFW.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Spring Arbor University (1130) is 30 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220; Spring Arbor University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IPFW - Test optional; SAU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SAU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• IPFW has a higher acceptance rate (83.9%) than SAU (51.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.4% at IPFW vs. 16.5% at SAU.

IPFW vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IPFW and SAU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Spring Arbor University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Spring Arbor University earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spring Arbor University graduates have a $457 lower median loan debt than IPFW graduates ($24,043 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SAU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IPFW graduates ($248 vs. $253).
• More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.